100 days until 100 years of the Box Elder County Fair and Golden Spike Rodeo

TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) — Box Elder County is hitting a historic mark in August, the 100th anniversary of the county fair and Golden Spike Rodeo.

To kick of the summer of events, organizers hosted a 100 days until 100 years kick off night at the fairgrounds on Friday. The event included music from a fair staple, Rough Stock, as well as free Peach City ice cream and BBQ dinner from the Box Elder County Farm Bureau.

“A cowboy will never die. You just got to get off the interstate and see.”
Brent Rose, President of the Golden Spike Rodeo

The kickoff event was titled Branding the Legacy: A 100-Year Love-A-Fair. Ranching families from all over the county were able to bring their family brands to add to a display that will be put up at the fair in August. Brent Rose, president of the Golden Spike Rodeo, explained, “A brand means so much. I don’t know when our brand started and so I try to honor that brand.”

Rose, like many others in attendance, has been a part of the fair since he was a kid. He expressed the importance of carrying on the tradition, “I know the history of the other family brands we have and the good men and women who sacrificed to make their ranch. And we’re trying to carry on the tradition in a 2025 world. But it’s alive and well.”

Fair Board President Jan Roades is also a fair lifer. She mentioned that the fair every year stands as a meeting post for family reunions. “A lot of times this is the only time you see people in the county is here at the fair.”

In the lead up to the 100th anniversary fair, the Box Elder County Farm Bureau is hoping to feed 100 families in need. They purchased livestock to be processed and donated to local food pantries. Jeff Hunt, president of the North Box Elder County Farm Bureau, said not only does it help promote the agriculture industry but teaches a lesson to young ranchers.

Hunt explained, “Show the kids that where their animal is actually gonna go and what a good effort it is to be able to raise a good animal to feed people that are in need.”

This celebration was rich in tradition. Rose remarked on how important it is to pass down their heritage to the next generation, saying, “My grandkids can come and do the same things I did with some of the same friends, generations and the other new friends. And so there’s other places in this world I’m sure that does the same as, but it’s getting fewer and farther between where they can feel their roots.”

Rose added, “A cowboy will never die. You just got to get off the interstate and see.”